NCHS seniors paint parking lot spaces

Neshoba Central High School seniors Shelby Lepard, Reagan Savell and Chloe Smith sit between two of the parking spots painted by the girls as part of a privileged parking fundraiser supported by NCHS’ Parent-Teacher Organization.

Neshoba Central High School seniors got the opportunity this year to show not only their artistic side but their school spirit by painting their assigned parking spots as part of a fundraising effort at the school.

The idea for the fundraiser came from the school's parent-teacher organization, according to PTO President Tina Lepard as other schools in the state use privilege parking fees to raise money.

"We wanted to give the senior class a special project to show their personality and their school spirit," Lepard said.

"It feels kind of special," senior Reagan Savell said. "It makes you feel like you kind of own part of the school."

So far 32 students have paid the $75 fee to be allowed to paint their spot, although Lepard said the PTO was granted 70 spots by the school and other students have shown an interest in participating.

A drive to Neshoba Central's campus shows a colorful array of artwork, each designed by the individual students to meet their own tastes.

Savell's final work has a turquoise blue background with a cap and gown, her name and the class of 2019 prominently displayed.

Savell said she rolled the background onto the asphalt and drew her designs with a small brush before painting the design in.

Senior Shelby Lepard went for a pink and black combination that included white polka dots and the phrase "I am second," a reference to Lepard's Christianity and her belief that one should put Christ first in their lives.

"I wanted to put something to show my belief in Christianity and that I am not afraid to proclaim it," Shelby Lepard said.

Shelby Lepard also noted that she went for a design and colors that were easy to do since she didn't consider herself an artist.

Chloe Smith went for a plum colored background, with her initials at the top, her favorite song verse, flowers and a reference to the class of 2019.

Smith said she came up with the idea while sitting at Lepard's home.

"I just started sketching it out," Smith said. "I did the work mostly by myself. I rolled the paint on and then used a bunch of paint brushes to finish the rest."

Tina Lepard said the project has been great so far. She said the goal is to raise over $4,000 to supply to the school's robotics program.

"The idea is to encourage the students to give back to their fellow students," she said. "Everything we raise goes right back into the school for the benefit of the students.

For those interested in painting their parking spots, Tina Lepard said a few rules apply. First, students must submit their drawings to the PTO ahead of time to get approval, second, they must use flat latex paint so that their art will be easy to paint over or remove.

"Our goal is to allow future classes to be able to do the same thing," she said.

"I think it is very cool they let us do this," Smith said. "It really makes you feel like you are a part of the school."